Parish Council Minutes 2nd September 2010

• Mr S McCarthy (Chairman)
• Mr David Drane
• Miss D Frost
• Mr David Haylock
• Mrs. Sara Scott
• Mr J Sladen
• Mr A Weedon
• Parish Clerk

Apologies:

• Cllr Sue Schneider, Uttlesford District Council

82. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 5 AUGUST

    were taken as read and signed as a correct record by the Chairman.

83. MATTERS ARISING

    Dog litter bin still to be erected – on footpath 86 on the slope up from Anso Road to the field. – Action DH

84. CORRESPONDENCE

    • Essex Heritage Trust
      Invitation to AGM on 30 September 2010 – Mr Weedon will try to attend. – Action AW
    • Citizens Advice Bureau
      request for a village representative to attend a training session to raise awareness of energy saving issues – Clerk to circulate to Parish Council and put on notice board; Mrs Scott to email to as many village contacts as she can with a request to ‘share with a neighbour’. – Action CD/SS

85. MEETING REPORTS

    • North Uttlesford Community Forum
      no meeting since last report
    • Parish Planning Workshop
      no meeting since last report.
    • West Essex Area Forum
      no meeting attended since last report
    • Walden in Transition
      no meeting attended since last report

86. ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

    Victim Support had contacted Mr McCarthy about attending a meeting with the police to give a final police warning to one of the culprits. Mr McCarthy was unable to attend due to prior commitments, but asked that he be represented with the view that the Parish Council support these youths if they behave and consider that what has gone before is now in the past and look forward to good behaviour in the future. PC Lark had updated Mr McCarthy, advising that the court case regarding the other two boys had been adjourned for four weeks. Her Sergeant had requested a Community Impact Statement be completed. Following considerable discussion it was agreed that, despite strong misgivings, this statement would be waived on condition that the police continue to patrol the village and surrounds on a very regular basis. The Parish Council also requested a meeting with the family to ensure that there was complete understanding that further instances of criminal activity would be seriously dealt with. Mr McCarthy was also to ask PC Lark to liaise with Mr and Mrs Haylock as soon as possible. – Action SM

87. ENVIRONMENT

    Village Green Issues
    Mr Haylock still to arrange appointment for Mr McCarthy to sign a declaration before the Commissioner of Oaths. – Action DH

88. FINANCE

    The following accounts were approved for payment and a cheques drawn up:

    J Basham	July & August grass cutting	£600.00
    M J Halls	Final work on drinking fountain	£235.00
    Nigel Smith	Newsletter – 2009/10	£242.00

    General discussion ensued regarding the possibility of paying for jobs that are currently carried out by volunteers. In particular, the work done to maintain the village website. IT WAS AGREED that Mr Kitchen would be compensated at the rate of £80.00 per month, effective 1 September 2010. – Action SM

89. HIGHWAYS

    Mr Drane was still attempting to identify Ray Curtis’s replacement at ECC Highways. The posts and rails along Anso Road have been replaced and the ditch between Post Office Cottage and Firs Cottage has been cleared. The resurfacing of the B1053 from Anso Corner to the junction with the B1054 is still being chased. – Action DD

90. FOOTPATHS

    P3
    Miss Frost reported on her meeting with Shirley Clayton-Anglin and Debbie Poskitt, PRoW Officers, ECC. Preliminary discussions had taken place with regard to next year’s cutting scheme. Mr Haylock reported that Adam Jenkins was assisting him with the administration of the Headland Management Scheme. Miss Frost advised that the second cut would be requested for the second week in September, weather permitting. Mr McCarthy requested that the path through the orchard on Church Hill be cut. – Action DF

91. MAINTENANCE PROJECTS

    • War Memorial Surround
      Mr McCarthy confirmed that the work should be starting on this project at the beginning of October – delayed because of bad weather. Completion before Remembrance Day was vital.

92. COMMUNICATIONS

    Website – photos of the tallest sunflowers in the village would shortly be uploaded.
    Newsletter – next newsletter deadline 20 September 2010 – Miss Frost reported that the recent newsletter/diary had proved very difficult to compile due to lack of information even once reminders had been sent. More support was requested.

93. EMERGENCY PLAN

    nothing to report

94. PLANNING

    • UTT/1803/08/FUL – Lakehouse Farm
      no decision to date
    • Enforcement Notice ENF/170/09/B – Anso Corner
      tyres dumped in ditch – enforcement notice S215 served requiring clearance of tyres and “this work has now been carried out”
    • Enforcement Notice ENF/198/10/B – The Barn Hempstead Hall
      lake possibly needing planning permission
    • UTT/1041/10/FUL – Spitlands Barn
      erection of swimming pool outbuilding – refused due to detrimental impact which would fail to protect or enhance the open and rural character of the surrounding countryside
    • UTT/1102/10/FUL – Prentices Farm
      rear extension – conditional approval
    • UTT/1165/10/FUL – Barn opposite Wincelow Hall, Wincelow Hall Road
      change of use from storage to B1 use – conditional approval

95. VILLAGE HALL

    Mr Sladen and Mr Cockman had carried out a review of the village hall premises. Front door lock barrels have been changed and a deep clean of the kitchen has been done.

96. CLERK RESIGNATION

    Two residents had responded to the advert in the Newsletter. A small sub-committee was formed to carry out interviews. Both applicants were extremely capable and the selection decision was very difficult to make. However, following extended discussion IT WAS AGREED to offer the position to Mr Martyn Long. (Post meeting note – offer has been accepted and Mr Long is due to start at the beginning of October.) Mr McCarthy and the Clerk will investigate the correct rate of pay for the position with guidance from the EALC. – Action SM/CD

    Future meeting dates – 8.15pm Tuesday 12 October, 8pm Wednesday 10 November and 8pm
    Thursday 9 December 2010. Please note changed dates and times.

    The meeting closed at 9.40pm.